Friday, July 03, 2009

Check out Allie, as she leads the PS22 Chorus in a heavenly rendition of "An Angel," by The Kelly Family, also notably covered by Declan Galbraith. I previously posted a solo version of Allie singing this, and was sifting through several different performances to find one with the chorus backing her up. And of course, we end up going with the first rehearsal where the chorus learned their part. It's not perfection, but the raw energy of this performance makes it my favorite rendition of the song by the chorus. Enjoy!

UPDATE 7/4/09: Our new video also earned itself TWO YouTube honors, including the #40 Top Rated Music Video Today. Congrats to Allie & the chorus!

That colors in the sunset must be from all the Jersey pollutants that drift your way-- down here in the south our sunsets don't look quite like that... hence the assumption of a backdrop....please forgive me King B ;) ;)

Mr.B. Happen to be browsing the PS 22 chorus site and came upon the beautiful picture you posted of Allie and listened again and again to her singing Angel. You made me a happy person tonight. Her Nana

WoW!!! Kudos to you and your kids. I am a music teacher as well and my kids like music and we have a good time, but what is your secret to getting the kids to be so passionate about their music? I can get them to sing, most of the time, but that's about it. It's like they are afraid someone will see and their coolness factor will go down. God forbid if they move and have a good time, while I am hopping up and down in the front trying (looking like and idioit...lol) to get them to loosen the heck up! I will be showing my kids this coming school year your blog. Maybe showing them that there are kids out there ENJOYING music; and it's ok to move and be silly and have a heck of a good time while singing will show them it's "cool" to be in choir. PS 22 is an inspiration for all teachers and all types of performing groups. Thank you Mr. B and the PS 22 Choir!!!!

i can totally relate! (particularly to the 'jumping up and down like an idiot remark'!) it wasn't something that came easily, if you watch our older videos, the kids were much more stiff. i have to say, doing the american idol contest at school helped. giving individual attention to the kids, and emphasizing the importance of connecting to the music in SOME way.

doing that, and showing the video of those performances to the kids has helped them grasp what it means to connect. it sort of has just become incorporated into what the chorus is at this point. the kids bring it themselves. of course some days are still better than others. they're human in that respect.... ;)

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol